In lab 1 you created this:

No offense, but frankly this map is cluttered and a bit crude

Doing the Optional_Additional_ArcGIS exercise on the Lab 1 website will walk you through refining your map to look more like this:

2More refined….easier to read…..a better map!

3

On that note, let’s spend a few minutes looking at the cartographic principle of Layout.

• Layout – the arrangement and size of different elements on a map.

Map layout elements:

Map layout and design concepts: Visual hierarchy, arrangement, spacing, audience, media type and size (print, web, slides, poster, etc.) 4

5

Important map design concept: visual hierarchy. Where on the map does the map reader’s eye first focus on?

Confusing – no visual hierarchy.

6

Step back a minute….what is the purpose and audience for this map? This must always be determined before the map making process begins.

Let’s say the purpose of this map is to show that Nevada lies to the west of Kansas. Let’s say the audience is anyone in the U.S.

With this in mind,how could this map be designed better?

7

Nevada

Kansas

How about this map…..more clear?

• Use of color causes map reader to first focus on two states. • North arrow is important to relate direction.

8

Important map design concept: visual hierarchy. Where on the map layout does the map reader’s eye first focus on?

Quick guide to achieving effective visual hierarchy:

1) When designing a map, first define the map’s purpose audience, media type and size.

Purpose: to show vegetation types in the DRC.

Audience: General public.Media: printed 8.5x11 paper.2) Determine the critical map elements

for understanding. Clearly depicting (primary map) and

explaining (legend) the vegetation classes, geographic context (inset map), and scale (scale bar).

3) Arrange and size elements to achieve the map’s purpose.

Can the visual hierarchy of the map on the right be improved?

9

Yes, the map elements can be rearranging to create a visual hierarchy that focuses the map reader in on the primary theme of the map: vegetation cover in the DRC

10

Map layout principle: balance the “white space” on the layout.Which layout is most readable (pleasing to the eye) – A, B, or C?

11

12

Map layout principle: balance the “white space” on the layout.Which layout is most readable (pleasing to the eye) – A, B, or C?

13

C

Map layout principle: balance the “white space” on the layout.Which layout is most readable (pleasing to the eye) – A, B, or C?

Map layout best practices:

• The primary map should be the focus of the layout.• Title, legend, author, and data sources are mandatory

layout elements by default. North arrow and scale are often needed, but not mandatory.

• Choose layout elements with your intended audience and presentation context (printed map, slides with narration, etc.) in mind.

• Include elements that are crucial for map understanding.

• Balance elements on the layout, distributing whitespace and avoiding clutter.

• Use visual hierarchy to achieve the map’s purpose 14

EMR21 Week 2 Practicum assignment:

Lab2_IntroToAdobeIllustratorOn the course website, Labs page, under Lab 2 Documents topic.

15